North Dakota lawyer costs and court fees
Short answer
North Dakota has small claims cases up to $15,000 or less, a 6-year personal injury filing deadline, a divorce filing fee of $160. Clio does not publish a North Dakota rate; the national average is $349 an hour. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.
North Dakota legal costs at a glance
| Small claims limit | $15,000 or less[1][2][3][4] |
|---|---|
| Small claims filing fee | $20 (N.D.C.C. 27-05.2-03(1)(e))[1][2][3][4] |
| District Court civil filing fee | $160 to file a civil action; $100 answer fee[3] |
| Divorce filing fee | $160[4] |
| Personal injury deadline | 6 years (N.D.C.C. § 28-01-16(5)); § 28-01-18 sets 2 years for libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment, malpractice and wrongful death[5] |
| Attorney fee caps | Workers' compensation: claimant attorney fee may not exceed 20% of the amount awarded, subject to WSI administrative-rule maximums (N.D.C.C. 65-02-08(3)).[6] |
| Average lawyer rate | No North Dakota figure published; national average $349/hour[7] |
What lawyers charge in North Dakota
Clio publishes state-level averages for only some states, and North Dakota is not one of them. The national average billed rate in Clio's 2025 data is $349 per hour[7]. We do not publish an invented North Dakota figure: ask two or three local lawyers for their hourly rate and compare it with the national number.
Illustrative budget at $349/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $349; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,745; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $6,980, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.
Small claims court in North Dakota
Small claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Court (District Court). You can ask for up to $15,000 or less[1][2][3][4]. Counterclaims have the same cap (N.D.C.C. 27-08.1-01).
- Filing fee: $20 (N.D.C.C. 27-05.2-03(1)(e))
- Serving the other side: The plaintiff arranges service of the claim affidavit and forms.
- Court self-help: North Dakota court self-help resources
See how North Dakota compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.
Court filing fees
District Court: $160 to file a civil action; $100 answer fee[3]
Divorce: $160[4] Petition for divorce, annulment or separation; fee schedule effective July 1, 2025.
If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.
Deadlines and attorney fee rules
Personal injury filing deadline: 6 years (N.D.C.C. § 28-01-16(5)); § 28-01-18 sets 2 years for libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment, malpractice and wrongful death[5]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.
Contingency and fee caps: Workers' compensation: claimant attorney fee may not exceed 20% of the amount awarded, subject to WSI administrative-rule maximums (N.D.C.C. 65-02-08(3)).[6]
If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: we did not find a statewide fee-dispute program for North Dakota; ask your local county bar association whether it runs one.
Free and low-cost legal help in North Dakota
- Legal aid: Legal Services of North Dakota. Programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation generally serve households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; in 2026 that is $19,950 a year for one person and $41,250 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states[8].
- Lawyer referral: State Bar Association of North Dakota Lawyer Referral & Information Service.
- Before you hire: read what consultations cost and options if you can't afford a lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the small claims limit in North Dakota?
$15,000 or less, in the Small Claims Court (District Court). Counterclaims have the same cap (N.D.C.C. 27-08.1-01).
How much does it cost to file a small claims case in North Dakota?
$20 (N.D.C.C. 27-05.2-03(1)(e)) Service of the papers usually costs extra.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Dakota?
Generally 6 years (N.D.C.C. § 28-01-16(5)); § 28-01-18 sets 2 years for libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment, malpractice and wrongful death. Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.
How much is the divorce filing fee in North Dakota?
$160. Petition for divorce, annulment or separation; fee schedule effective July 1, 2025. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.
Sources
- ND Courts, Small Claims (checked October 11, 2026)
- N.D.C.C. ch. 27-08.1 (checked October 11, 2026)
- N.D.C.C. ch. 27-05.2 (checked October 11, 2026)
- ND District Court Fees (checked October 11, 2026)
- N.D.C.C. ch. 28-01 (checked October 11, 2026)
- N.D.C.C. ch. 65-02 (checked October 11, 2026)
- Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
- Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)